Helping out at the Bunny Boiler Landcare dinner

Story from Isabel Rooks Year 9 Wonthaggi Secondary College.

The best part, for me, about helping at the Bunny Boiler Landcare dinner is the contented feeling I got when helping out with a cause that is greater than oneself.
The other best part was meeting the many wonderful people out there who are happy to help and do their part for the environment. Some of these people were a group of my friends and we became the Bunny Helpers for the night. Our jobs varied, covering the preparation, cashiers, waitresses and raffle masters. We all took up the roles gladly and wore our little pink bunny rabbit ears with pride.
 
The Bunny Boiler is an event held every year, this time at the North Pier Hotel. 
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​The evening’s purpose was to spread awareness about rabbits being a pest and a self-promotion for Phillip Island Landcare. However, mostly it was just about having a fun time. Once the dinner goers took their seats, Mike Cleeland began the interviews of the 5 individuals from the home cook category. Each meal made had to use rabbit. We all got to taste a bit of each dish and then all independently voted on which one was our favourite from the first category, home cooks. 

Next Mike interviewed the 5 professional chefs. The dishes were served and the attendees ate. Again, we all voted on which was our favourite from this category. I have to say, all of the meals, from both categories, were exceptional. What surprised me was that so many different dishes could be made from rabbit. The home cooks and chefs prepared a mixture of platters, tarts, casseroles, salads, paellas and terrines. My taste buds were in heaven! 

​The home cook winner was Pat Kissane followed by Bill Brooks in second and Pip Cleeland in third. From the professional chefs, Neil Douglas from the RSL won, Ben White from Nordic Kantine in second and Stuart Hawkings in third. It was well put by Neil Douglas(winner of chefs) that all the cooks & chefs prepared a high standard of dishes and that it was an overall wonderful evening. Geoff Russell from Western Port water was there to present cash prizes to the winners and place-getters, all thanks WW.

​The raffle winners then collected their prizes that had been donated by our very committed group of sponsors. Gary Marrs & Jon Rees , the musicians, declared that it was time to dance. Which wasn't hard to do as the duo provided great music that suited the mood perfectly throughout the night.
 
The Bunny Boiler was a great success, not just because of the help from my group of friends, the Bunny Helpers but everyone who gave their time. I would like to give big thankyou to all the volunteers and cooks/ chefs who helped out and made the event run as smoothly as it did. To everyone else who came, I can’t wait to see you again next year.

Isabel Rooks Year 9 Wonthaggi Secondary College.